Step by step toward a healthy life

Six-year-old Emmanuil from the village of Krynychky sees the world only in silhouettes, yet he feels it much more deeply with his heart. He recognizes his mother by her footsteps, catches the intonations of her voice, laughs at his favorite cartoons, and dreams of one day running as fast as his favorite heroes.

Emmanuil was born at 37 weeks of pregnancy weighing only 2,100 g. At three months old, he developed strabismus. At the Dnipro Regional Children’s Hospital, the baby underwent a brain ultrasound and contrast tomography. A neurosurgeon suspected a pathology and referred the child for an MRI, which showed the absence of brain gyri on the right side. Later, diagnoses of cerebral palsy and epilepsy were added. Despite this, Emmanuil learned to sit at 11 months and took his first steps at one year old.

At the age of 2, the boy was diagnosed with congenital atrophy of both optic nerves. He underwent 5 surgeries: three times he received botulinum toxin injections into the internal eye muscles to relax them, and twice he had surgery for strabismus. After anesthesia, epileptic activity appeared, but the seizures were brought under control thanks to the medication Keppra.

The child sees only the outlines of objects, as the left eye has atrophied and the vision in the right eye is -5.

Emmanuil is very intelligent and curious. He loves playing with tractors, helps his mother take care of plants, and tries to do everything independently.

Every 2-3 months, the boy undergoes rehabilitation at the St. John's Center, the "BudeTak" center, and in the neurological department in Dnipro. The sessions help reduce spasticity, restore body mobility, and prevent deterioration.

Over the past six months, Emmanuil has learned to hold a pen correctly – for him, this is a huge achievement! He is also preparing to go to school, so he is learning to write and concentrate.

Emmanuil has left-sided hemiparesis – paralysis of the left side of the body. He does not use his left hand, and his left leg has begun to shorten due to constant muscle tension. Without regular rehabilitation, the deformity will worsen.

Sofiia is raising her son alone; all treatment and therapy expenses are on her shoulders. The father has limited himself to paying alimony.

In April, specialists at the St. John's Center are expecting Emmanuil to work on reducing spasticity and improving joint mobility. This will help prevent further shortening of the leg.

Please support Emmanuil so that he can move freely and confidently, step by step approaching his dreams!